Category: WW2 Era (1939-45)

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ICM to Release 1/48 Lockheed Hudson Mk.III Kit: “100% New Molds”

In August ICM will release a “100% new molds” Lockheed Hudson Mk.III model kit in 1/48 scale (48331).

The Hudson Mk.III was a light bomber and maritime reconnaissance aircraft derived from the Lockheed Model 14 Super Electra airliner and built for the RAF just before World War II. This variant featured upgraded 1,200 hp Wright R-1820 Cyclone engines and a Boulton Paul dorsal turret with twin .303-inch machine guns, and was used extensively by the RAF, RAAF, and RNZAF for coastal patrol, anti-submarine work, and general reconnaissance from 1941 onward.

Additional details have not yet been announced. Check out kit renderings below.

Continue reading ICM to Release 1/48 Lockheed Hudson Mk.III Kit: “100% New Molds”

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Dora Wings Releases P-66 Vanguard Kit With PE Parts, Multiple Liveries

Dora Wings recently released a new Vultee P-66 Vanguard boxing in 1/48 scale.

The Vanguard was an American single-seat, single-engine fighter designed in the late 1930s, originally intended for export to Sweden but later taken into U.S. service and then sent in larger numbers to China. It was a fairly conventional prewar radial-engine fighter with respectable speed and climb, but it was generally considered underwhelming in combat compared with better-known wartime fighters, so it ended up with a mixed reputation despite seeing real service.

The kit (48053) is touted as offering superb surface textures with crisp, recessed panel lines and fantastic overall accuracy. It includes PE parts, die cut canopy masks, new premium decals with marking options for multiple aircraft, including examples in including USAAF and Chinese Air Force service.

Check out the product page and box contents below.

Continue reading Dora Wings Releases P-66 Vanguard Kit With PE Parts, Multiple Liveries

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Fairchild PT-19A Project Offered For Sale

A Fairchild PT-19A ( M-62A-4 ) has been spotted for sale. Details are nonexistent, although it is listed as a project aircraft.

The PT-19A was a World War II U.S. Army Air Forces primary trainer, built as a rugged low-wing monoplane to teach cadets the basics of flying before they moved on to combat aircraft. Powered by a 200 hp Ranger L-440-3 engine, it used tandem open cockpits, fixed landing gear, and simple, sturdy construction, and it was widely praised for being economical, reliable, and closer in handling to frontline monoplanes than the older biplane trainers.

The aircraft is located in Victorville, California and is currently available for US $40,000, although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing.

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IBG Releases Renderings, Livery Profiles For Upcoming Spitfire Model Kits

IBG has released renderings of their upcoming Supermarine Spitfire PR Type G “Playing with Death” (72600) model kit in 1/72 scale. They have also released seven livery profiles for their upcoming Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb Trop “Over North Africa” (72592).

The PR Type G was a fighter-reconnaissance variant of the Spitfire, adapted for low-level tactical photo work rather than pure interception. It carried one oblique and two vertical F24 cameras, kept its armament and armored windscreen, and early examples were converted from Mk I airframes with Merlin II engines later replaced by Merlin 45s; later ones came from Mk V airframes. It entered service in limited numbers and was eventually superseded by the PR Mk XIII, which used the same camera layout with a lower-altitude Merlin 32 engine.

The Mk.Vb was built around the Merlin 45 engine and the “B” wing. It was typically armed with two 20 mm Hispano cannons and four .303 machine guns. The aircraft was a widely used stop-gap that gave the RAF a strong, versatile interceptor through 1941–43, including tropical versions for desert service.

Also slated for release is an ESSENTIALS detail pack (80003) for the Mk.Vb Trop with Vokes Filter. Click below to check out the newly released PR Type G renderings and the Mk. Vb livery profiles.

Continue reading IBG Releases Renderings, Livery Profiles For Upcoming Spitfire Model Kits

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The Lightweight Mustangs: The Best Fighters of WW2

Coming soon from Pen & Sword and author James William Marshall is The Lightweight Mustangs: The Best Fighters of WW2.

Following America’s entry into the Second World War, the USAAF immediately began preparing itself for the battles ahead. One of its new requirements was for a fighter that could fly deep into Europe or over the vast distances of the Pacific. While this included extending the range of all of the USAAF’s tactical aircraft, particularly fighters, in what was called the Fighter Aircraft Range Extension Program, particular attention was given to the North American P-51 Mustang. The ground-breaking American program resulted in the design of the Lockheed P-38J and the North American P-51B, which were both intended to escort USAAF long-range bombers to any target they were tasked to attack. The pair was still in development when the USAAF undertook the infamous raids on the Bavarian city of Schweinfurt in August and October 1943. The only escort fighters available at that time were the shorter-range Republic P-47s Thunderbolts. Continue reading The Lightweight Mustangs: The Best Fighters of WW2

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Ranger 6-440 Engine For Sale: “Rebuilt, Includes Stand and Prop”

A rebuilt Ranger 6-440 C-2 engine has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

Rebuilt WWII Ranger 6-440 C-2 Piston Fairchild Aircraft Engine. You will get everything connected to the engine including the wood propeller and yellow stand. The engine was rebuilt a couple years age and was put on display at a local college until recently when they ran out of room for it,

The engine is located in Perris, California and is currently available for US $12,500. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos.

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MiniArt Releases New P-47D-20RA Thunderbolt Advanced Kit

MiniArt has released their new P-47D-20RA “advanced” kit in 1/48 scale.

The P-47D-20RA was an Evansville-built late-war Thunderbolt variant that kept the P-47’s rugged airframe, eight .50-caliber machine guns, and strong fighter-bomber capability while adding the “universal” wing for bombs or drop tanks and the more powerful R-2800 engine family. It was part of the evolution that made the Thunderbolt one of the U.S. Army Air Forces’ toughest and most versatile WWII fighters.

As previously reported, the offering (48043) represents the type in service during the 1944 the Saipan campaign and includes PE parts, detailed cockpit and exterior surfaces and marking options for four aircraft.

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New Official History Details RAF Decoys and Visual Deception of German Bombers in WW2

Coming soon from Air World is Deceiving Hitler’s Bombers: RAF Decoys and Visual Deception in WWII, which is an official history of clever visual deception―dummy sites, fake lights, and camouflage―to mislead German bombers and protect key locations during WW2.

The first, and most essential element in aerial bombardment is that of locating the target. All the inherent costs and risks in undertaking a bombing raid are of no avail unless the objective of the mission is correctly identified. If, through means of decoys or visual deception, the attacking aircraft can be tricked into dropping their deadly payloads in areas of little importance to the general war effort, the enemy bombers will have failed in their mission.

It was accepted at the start of the war that enemy bombers would always get through the UK’s defences and that the German bomber crews could be expected to have a reasonable understanding of Britain’s geography and of its main industrial and military facilities. That being the case, how could the most important sites be protected? Continue reading New Official History Details RAF Decoys and Visual Deception of German Bombers in WW2

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Airfix Releases New Tool Junkers Ju52/3mg4e Model Kit

Airfix has released their new tool Junkers Ju52/3mg4e in 1/72 scale.

As previously reported, the newly designed kit (A08022) faithfully replicates the corrugated surface texture on all external surfaces and includes fully detailed interior and engines, oil drum cargo load, wheel chocks for diorama models, options for machine gun armament and undercarriage with or without spats, slide molded canopy to ensure clear definition of window frames and multiple doors and hatches that can be posed open or closed to add life to the model.

Decals are included with three livery options: WNr.2870, KM+BX, 4./KGrzbV500, Pleskau-West, Russia, March 1942; WNr.6141, VB+IN, Transportstaffel/II. Fliegerkorps, Russia 1941 and WNr.6657, CA+JY, 1./KGrzbV102, Neumünster, Germany, April 1940.

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Taylorcraft BC-12D, Cub Projects For Sale: “Three Engines, Other Parts”

Taylorcraft BC-12D and Cub projects have been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

Both aircraft have been dismantled. The Taylorcraft has accident damage but the Cub has been dismantled for rebuilding from Fuselage up. The Taylorcraft is on a trailer which is included in the sale. There is also three engines and other aircraft parts.

The projects are located in the UK and are currently available for £4,000. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos.

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